DARLINGTON, WI (WRN) - An Argyle man accused of setting a fire that killed three of his children and severely burned his pregnant wife has agreed to a plea deal.
The state Department of Justice says Armin Wand III pleaded guilty on Friday in Lafayette County circuit court to three counts of first degree intentional homicide, one count of attempted homicide, one count of arson, and one count of felony murder of an unborn child.
The Court dismissed but read-in two counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide.The charges stem from an arson fire Wand was accused of setting in September of last year, as part of a plot to kill his family and cash in on life insurance policies. The fire claimed the lives of three of his sons and severely burned his pregnant wife, who later lost the baby. Wand’s wife Sharon was able to rescue the couple’s two-year-old daughter.
There was discussion of having a Marathon County jury hear Wand's trial due to heavy publicity in southern Wisconsin, but that will not be necessary.
Wand’s brother Jeremy, who is accused of helping set the fire, is still facing charges. Armin Wand III will be sentenced on April 17th.